Our international students are given a warm welcome to the DMU family

Students from all over the world have been given a warm welcome to the De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) family as they arrive in the city to begin a new academic adventure.

Hundreds of international students were able to make new friends, swap stories and talk to current students as DMU’s International Welcome Week got underway.

The Venue@DMU was transformed into a fun fair with coconut shies, hook a duck, a special selfie mirror and photography props for students to enjoy before an official welcome ceremony led by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic and International Partnerships, James Gardner, and members of De Montfort Students’ Union.

Students were seated at tables with a member of staff and a current student, so they could ask questions all about life at DMU. A very English-themed menu complete with sausages and mash, Yorkshire pud and fish and chips was laid on.

In his speech, Mr Gardner told students they had joined one of the most diverse universities in the UK. He said: “Every year students from 135 countries come to DMU. This creates a unique, very diverse, very global campus. Students from all over the world want to study and learn at our university.

“A warm welcome to the DMU family. I hope you enjoy your studies, take the opportunity to get involved in as many things as possible, make friends and enjoy yourselves.”

DMU is a global university and its popularity with students from all around the world is growing. This year record numbers of EU students have started at DMU despite a marked decline across the sector.

The university’s #LoveInternational campaign visited key European countries to try to counter uncertainty following the result of the EU Referendum and share a positive message of welcome and support.

Frelin Epula, from France, had literally just arrived in the UK after flying in from France – he even brought his travel bag to the ceremony. Frelin, who graduated from DMU in 2011, has returned to do a Master’s in Electronic Engineering. He said: “I enjoyed my studies at DMU the first time round and I have been wanting to do an MSc for a while so I am looking forward to starting my studies.”

Manon Arziman, from France, seized the chance to come to the UK on an Erasmus programme from Strasbourg University. “I thought to myself I’m going to go to England because with Brexit, it might be my last chance to study here. I am looking forward to being here in Leicester and making the most of my time in the UK.”

International students are worth more than £58million a year to the Leicester economy, according to research by DMU’s Leicester Castle Business School. They considered the direct costs of tuition fees, accommodation, communication (such as mobile phones etc), leisure pursuits, food, drink, clothes and transport.

They also factored in spending on travel and tourism and looked further at knock-on effects, such as the visitation of family and friends to the UK and the effects of direct expenditure as it works through the Leicester economy.

Himanshu Garg, from Rajasthan in India, said: “This is my first time out of India and I am excited about the opportunities here like #DMUglobal. I plan to study Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation and start my own business.”

William Dibbayawan has come to DMU from Bangkok, and is studying Business and Marketing. He said: “My two best mates are from Leicester so that’s how I have the connection to the city and it captivated me. I’m looking forward to seeing the football here.”

Henry Xie Kunqi found out about DMU from his university in China and applied to study here. He is beginning Accounting and Finance BA (Hons) at Leicester Business School. “I have heard about DMU and met students who have done studies here and in China for their degree. Everyone is very friendly here.”

Trong Trung, 35, from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, will be starting a postgraduate course in Design Innovation.

He said: "I hope to pave the way for students to come from Vietnam. Before I made the decision to study at DMU I spent a lot of time researching online and I see a lot of advantages here.”

Other events being held during welcome week include trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon, a karaoke night, sports sessions, an outdoor cinema, a British tea party and the international societies fair, where students can find out about the different clubs and organisations at the university.